Chitosan-Based Nanogels in Drug Delivery Applications
摘要
Chitosan-based nanogels represent a significant advancement in the field of biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. These nanogels leverage the unique properties of chitosan, a natural polysaccharide derived from chitin, which is known for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. The integration of chitosan into nanogels enhances their functionality, making them suitable for a variety of applications, including targeted drug delivery, antibacterial treatments, and tissue engineering. This chapter delves into the synthesis methods of chitosan nanogels and also highlights their potential as drug delivery carriers, such as in anti-tumour drugs and proteins, for bioimaging, bone, and dental tissue engineering. The properties of the chitosan nanogels are also compared with other polymeric nanogels, such as PEG and PLGA-based nanogels. While chitosan-based nanogels offer numerous advantages, challenges remain in optimizing their synthesis and ensuring consistent performance across different applications. The potential for greater interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems necessitates thorough biocompatibility assessments. Future research is likely to focus on enhancing the functionalization of chitosan nanogels and expanding their applications in diverse biomedical fields.